URMIA Regional Meeting

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Thursday, February 26, 2009

D. Jean Demchak
Managing Director
Marsh

Gary W. Langsdale
University Risk Officer
Pennsylvania State University

In a difficult economic environment, higher education will be scrutinized for the true costs of all aspects of our business. As the Total Cost Of Risk (TCOR) gains acceptance as a benchmarking and communication tool, the need for standardization increases. The dynamics of the higher education industry, its unique exposures, and the diverse risk profile among institutions require a consistent approach reflecting these factors. This session will review the basics of TCOR, a tailored approach for higher education with case studies, and provide suggestions for communication with senior management.

Takeaway: As a result of participating in this session, attendees will: Understand the basic tenants of TCOR, how to tailor for their institution, and how to use as a critical piece of communication with senior management.

Robert Baird
AVP, Risk Services
United Educators

Risk management in the context of wilderness education is an evolving discipline. As the programs, environment, equipment, medical, and other elements of the outdoor education domain change, so must the risk management techniques used to mitigate the risks. From academic programs and sponsored outdoor adventure trips to orientation programs and clubs, wilderness education programs provide valuable leadership opportunities for students and enhance personal growth. Wilderness expeditions teach participants how to plan and set goals, communicate, work as an effective team, and learn outdoor skills such as canoeing, backpacking, and rock climbing. This presentation will explore the range of wilderness program types with a particular focus on the Southwest. Attendees will also receive information on staffing, student health and safety, administration, emergency response and crisis management, and transportation.

Facilitator: John Watson
Executive Director, Higher Education Practice
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services

Kevin McGinnis
Director, Risk Management and Safety
The Texas A&M University System

Minors, or youth and children, on campus is an area that may be running “under the radar” until something serious goes wrong. While you may be aware of minors in summer sports camps and child care, have you determined what activities involve minors in academic departments, community and institutional relations, and other areas? A panel of risk managers will discuss lessons learned and best practices that are working on their campuses.

Phillip B. Dendy, CRM
Director of Risk Management
The University of Texas System

Paul D. Pousson, ARM
Associate Director of Risk Management
The University of Texas System

Hurricanes Dolly and Gustav were the warm-up acts for the main attraction, Hurricane Ike. These storms wreaked havoc along the Texas coast in 2008 from Beaumont to Brownsville. Hurricane Ike made landfall on September 12, 2008, at Galveston Island, causing massive destruction, and it will have long lasting effects on local communities. Of the 15 institutions in the University of Texas System, eight institutions had direct physical losses resulting from these storms, and all were involved in some manner in emergency response, mutual aid, evacuation and sheltering, or other support activities.

The magnitude of these storms, particularly Hurricane Ike, has impacted almost every program administered by the Office of Risk Management. Phil Dendy and Paul Pousson will discuss all the activities surrounding the storms including planning, drills, mutual aid agreements, disaster response contracts, coordination with local and state jurisdictions, evacuation, recovery operations, insurance, FEMA, and long-term strategies.

This round table discussion will focus on current topics in higher education risk management. Come prepared with your current questions and concerns!

Friday, February 27, 2009

James Mendoza
Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator
The City of San Antonio, Office of Emergency Management

Donovan Agans
Director of Business Continuity and Emergency Management Office
The University of Texas at San Antonio

John DeLaHunt
Manager, Fire Safety and Risk
The University of Texas at San Antonio

The 36,000 square-foot San Antonio EOC, which opened on December 3, 2007, brings together City of San Antonio and Bexar County emergency management offices. This joint-use facility allows for the seamless integration and operation of city, county, state, and federal emergency management personnel for the purpose of gathering, evaluating, and distributing critical information and implementing responsive actions during an emergency or in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. The office also handles sheltering of evacuees during coastal evacuations.

This session will introduce conference attendees to the San Antonio EOC, its history, and how the center operates. Topics will also include incidents that the EOC has managed over the last year since its opening.

James Mendoza
Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator
The City of San Antonio, Office of Emergency Management

The tour of the San Antonio EOC will allow conference attendees to see firsthand the Command Center, the Joint Information Center, the Public Information Officer Working Area, the GIS Center, the Radio Room, and much, much more. This tour will focus on how the center operates to manage emergency incidents in both the medical and academic environment.